The real Riyadh target

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, May 14, 2003

THE TERRORIST assaults on three residential compounds in Saudi Arabia's capital were, on their face, aimed at Americans and other foreigners whose work bolsters the Saudi establishment. But the actual target of al Qaeda -- or other Islamist extremists -- could be the Saudi ruling family with its Western links.

At least 20 residents of the gated communities were killed and many more were wounded when gunmen shot their way in Monday night and set the stage for several suicide car bombings. At least seven of the dead were Americans. Nine attackers also died, according to the Saudi government.

There had been advance warnings of such attacks, including the May 6 discovery of a significant cache of arms. Saudi authorities are looking for 19 suspects believed to be under al Qaeda orders.

The coordinated acts of terrorism -- which also included bombing of an American-Saudi business -- preceded a visit to Riyadh by Secretary of State Colin Powell on behalf of Middle Eastern peace. Powell blamed al Qaeda, perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks, whose fugitive leader Osama bin Laden regularly inveighs against the presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia near the holiest Islamic sites.

Instead of mollifying critics by pushing for the exit of the 5,000-member U. S. military contingent in the country, the autocratic Saudi leaders should plan genuine political reform. A self-governing nation, with opportunity for all, is less likely to become a fertile recruiting ground for the likes of Osama bin Laden.